"Lew was a trusted member of the Secret Service who believed in the values of duty, honor, courage, and commitment. 'Trust and Confidence' is the story of how Lew defended those values from those who sought to undermine what Lew would never surrender - his integrity."-Leon E. Panetta, Former Chief of Staff; Secretary of Defense; Director CIA
"A well-researched, enthralling history of the fight between Kenneth Starr and the Secret Service. Lichtman's story is a gripping political drama."-Kirkus Reviews
In 1998, for the first time in our nation's history, the director of the United States Secret Service was asked to testify against a sitting president. Independent counsel Kenneth Starr wanted to question Director Lewis Merletti about President Bill Clinton's relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Starr issued a motion to compel Merletti and agents protecting the president to testify as to what they may have seen or heard regarding Clinton's intimate liaisons with Lewinsky. In a declaration made in opposition to the motion, Merletti argued that if agents were permitted to testify about anything other than criminal acts, it would compromise the trust and confidence tenet critical to the mission of the Secret Service and thus jeopardize the safety of the presidency and the country.
But there was something more to the story. An anonymous source inside the agency alleged that Director Merletti had a deal with Clinton. In exchange for his silence on Lewinsky, the president would appoint him director.
Drawn from interviews and previously unreleased documents from the National Archives, this is the only inside account of the battle between the Secret Service and the independent counsel. It's about a special counsel report, presumed to be sealed, investigating the confrontation of Lewinsky by Starr's attorneys at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and the connection between the Secret Service and Lewinsky. As associate independent counsel, Mark Barrett told Starr . . . "This would be a live grenade. Do it right. Monica Lewinsky and Secret Service."
About the Author :
Jim Lichtman has been writing and speaking on ethics since 1995. Past clients include The American Bankers Association, Federal Dispute Resolution Conference, Tenet Healthcare, Sandia National Labs, Society of Actuaries, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Rhode Island, The 3rd National Character Education Conference, Hampton University Honors College, Penn State Forum, and US Department of State.His op-eds have appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Huffington Post, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and New York Times. Feature stories and appearances include The New Jersey Star-Ledger, Washington Post, USA Today, Boston Herald, National Public Radio's Weekend Edition, NY-1, and CNN's NewsNight with Aaron Brown.His weekly commentaries can be found at ItsEthicsStupid.com. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Review :
Praise for TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
"A surefire must-read for all audiences, especially those that crave political and historical drama." -US Review of Books, 2024
"An intellectually invigorating read. This phenomenal book is recommended for anyone interested in political drama and wishes to dive deeper into the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal."-Literary Titan, 2022, Gold Award Winner
"Trust and Confidence' helps us see the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal from a new, important viewpoint: the battle between the Secret Service's desire to uphold the trust and confidence that allows them to do their job; and the tactics used against them for political agendas. A worthwhile, eye-opening read. Fans of politics, history, and current events, will not be able to put this book down." -Maincrest Media, 2022, First Place: Political and Current Events
"This well-researched, non-fiction book reads like a crime drama. There were times when we felt like John Grisham had written it. But it's real! In an age in which the mainstream media seems to always be trying to spin stories to fit a political agenda, this book has no agenda. It's just facts."-Outstanding Creator Awards, 2022, Winner: Non-Fiction; Politics; Journalism
"'Trust and Confidence' is brain candy for readers who love political thrillers that read like fiction but are, in fact, very real. An absolutely fantastic read. Very highly recommended."-Readers' Favorite, 2022, 5 Stars
"Fans of politics and the law will find this legal thriller a valuable contribution to the historical record on a moment in time that rocked a nation."-London Book Festival, 2022, Winner
"Highly informative and captivating. Jim Lichtman hits a home run in this comprehensive, real-life political drama."-American Writing Awards, 2022, Finalist
"It is a tribute to the author's writing style and storytelling ability that he can convey the feelings and emotions of those involved. That makes this book come alive."-Pacific Book Awards, 2022 Finalist
Hollywood Book Festival, 2022, Winner
Readers' Choice Book Awards, 2022, 5 Stars
Nellie Bly Journalistic Non-Fiction Book Awards, 2022, Finalist
